The Lowell Police Department's Special Investigations Unit, known as the Vice Squad, was conducting a routine check of the facility, also known as the Azores American Club, when it discovered the unlicensed machines.

The machines were taken away in a Department of Public Works' pick-up truck. Ryan said the machines were leased by the club, so they will be returned to the owners when they are identified.

Police officials will forward a complaint about the unlicensed machines to the License Commission, Ryan said.

Manny Silva, Lowell Sports Club's manager, was not present at the club when a Sun reporter visited Wednesday and could not be reached for comment. A bartender did not provide a number to reach him and said she would go and get a number for him, but she failed to do so.

The bartender said the club "has licenses" for the machines, but would not give her name or comment further.

The License Commission has yet to receive the complaint from police, but will schedule a hearing when it does, said Ryan Wynn, the commision's executive secretary. Lowell Sports Club could face a suspension of its license if the police's allegations prove accurate, he said.

The Pulaski Club, the previous occupant of the facility, transferred its liquor license to the Lowell Sports Club in November 2008.

Advertisement

The Pulaski club had a license for three coin-operated video-poker machines.

Silva asked the License Commission in early 2009 to receive the video-poker licenses Pulaski had, but the commission denied his request.

"He has never been licensed for a poker machine," Wynn said.

The License Commission first granted video-poker licenses in the early 1980s, but stopped handing out new licenses in 1989, said Wynn. There are a total of 57 licensed video-poker machines at 17 clubs throughout the city, Wynn said.

The state has been focusing on illegal gambling in clubs, but was not involved with the events yesterday at Lowell Sports Club.

Earlier this month, the state cited about 50 businesses for alleged illegal gambling in a monthslong investigation, including five bars in Greater Lowell.

The state Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission (ABCC) found Avenue Pub, Cracker's and O'Hara's Tavern in Dracut, and Thirsty's and O'Conley's Pub in Tyngsboro, paying cash prizes to winners of video-gambling machines, according to Jon Carlisle, a spokesman for the State Treasurer's Office.

Carlisle said all businesses found in violation of state gambling laws would receive a hearing summons to appear before the three-member ABCC. Punishment could range from a written warning to a 30-day liquor-license suspension to license revocation.

So far, 19 have received hearing notices, including the owner of O'Conley's Pub at 24 Middlesex Road in Tyngsboro, who is scheduled to appear Tuesday before the commission.

Welcome to your discussion forum: Sign in with a Disqus account or your social networking account for your comment to be posted immediately, provided it meets the guidelines. (READ HOW.)
Comments made here are the sole responsibility of the person posting them; these comments do not reflect the opinion of The Sun. So keep it civil.

ODESSA, Texas (AP) — A West Texas man has been charged with impersonating an officer by using sirens and flashing lights to skip to the head of the drive-thru line at a fast-food restaurant. Full Story